Bodog Beat

The Ducks' Ryan Carter slips a shot by Martin Brodeur. (AP Images)

The NHL playoffs must be coming, because the Anaheim Ducks are suddenly hot.

The defending Stanley Cup champions have been steady but unspectacular. Now, they appear ready to turn it on down the stretch.

Rookie Ryan Carter scored the first two goals of his career and the Ducks held on to beat Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils, 2-1, in Newark, N.J., Friday night.

The underdog Ducks paid +125 on the puckline (meaning a winning hockey bet of $100 netted a $125 profit). The victory also gave Anaheim a 3-0 record during its swing through the New York City area.

Scott Niedermayer played his first game in New Jersey since signing a free-agent contract with the Ducks two years ago. He didn’t factor in the scoring, but was a stalwart on defense. Young Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller outplayed Brodeur by making 34 saves.

In other NHL action on Friday:

Boston 3, Buffalo 2: The Bruins came back from two goals down in Buffalo to force a shootout then Phil Kessel won it by squeaking a shot past Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. Boston was a +150 underdog.

Carolina 2, Washington 1: The Hurricanes took hold of first place in the Southeast Division once again as they paid their backers +115 for the road win. Erik Cole and Andrew Ladd had the goals for Carolina.

Bet on hockey!